Device for increased loading while running or sprinting

ABSTRACT

The invention is a training device that operates to make runners run faster. More particularly, the training device uses increased loading as an athlete moves it from one point to another either by running or by walking.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/206,419. The delay in filing thissubsequent non-provisional application designating the United Stateswithin the twelve-month period set forth in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of thissection was unintentional.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a training device that operates to make runners runfaster. More particularly, the training device uses increased loading asan athlete moves it from one point to another either by running or bywalking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The idea of bigger, stronger, faster is ancient. Since the dawn ofmankind, man's survival has been closely tied to his ability to chaseand successfully hunt down his prey for the feeding of himself, familyand tribe and to move faster than what chases and pursues him. Oncefarming was established, man's need for speed lessened as he became ableto build towns, cities and civilization. Man's ability to domesticateanimals and put them in predictable places ended his need to exert thenecessary survival skills associated with hunting and flight frompredators.

But man, nonetheless, has still strived to be bigger, stronger andfaster throughout the millennia if, for no other reason, than to besthis fellow man through sport and also through warfare. Training for suchneeds is shown on the temple walls of almost all ancient civilizationsfrom the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese dynasties.Mankind has known for thousands of years that the application of weightsto almost any exercise regime increases power, strength and usuallyspeed.

Today, sprinters work with weights in various ways to help them toachieve greater power that may translate into greater speed gains. Suchmethods have included weighted vests, ankle weights, weighted gloves,bands, weighted sleds and the like. In all such methods, the weight ofsuch devices or apparatus is static. It does not change. Thus, when asprinter (or other kind of athlete) uses any of the foregoing, suchsprinter is limited by the weight used. Because the weight isunchanging, the sprinter can max out at that weight thereby experiencingdiminished benefits from her training once her endurance for a givenweight is met. The only change occurs when an athlete or trainermanually changes the weight by either adding more or taking some away.

What is needed, therefore, is a device that an athlete can use that, byits use, enables gains in power that lend themselves to gains in speed.Such a device will not be limited by the static application of weightbut will instead be able to provide increased weight loads over timeand/or over the distance of a training course as well as decreasingweight loads over time and/or over the distance of a training course.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention herein provides a device for increasing loadwhile it is in motion. The invention contains a frame. The frame has afront end and a back end that is positioned oppositely to it. A handlefor moving the device is attached to the back end of the frame.

At least two movable members are attached to the back end of the frame.At least one movable member is attached to the front end of the frame. Amovable weight bearing device is attached to the frame. The movableweight bearing device moves linearly between the back end of the frameand the front end of the frame when the device is in motion.

In one execution herein, the movable weight bearing device comprises aplatform. The platform is configured to receive a load. The loadcomprises one or more weighted objects, such weighted objects being freeweights of the kind well known in the art for use in weight bearingexercises.

The movable weight bearing device preferably comprises a sprocket androller system. The sprocket and roller system is actuated by the atleast two movable members attached to the back end of the frame. Inpractice, the sprocket and roller system transfers a weighted loadlinearly along the frame of the device. That is, the load increases asthe device is moved in a linear direction. The load is increased as itmoves from the back end of the frame to the front end of the frame.

As the device moves, an athlete pushing it from behind will experience aload increase thereby making the device harder to push. The loadincrease happens as it moves toward the at least one movable memberthereby increasing its resistance to linear motion. Thus, an athlete iscaused to work harder by increase of the load onto the one movablemember.

Alternatively, the movable weight bearing device comprises a gradualbraking system instead of a sprocket and roller system. The gradualbraking system is actuated by the at least two movable members attachedto the back end of the frame. It transfers the load linearly along theframe of the device.

Importantly, the movable weight bearing device moves reversibly linearlybased upon the direction of linear motion of the device. When the deviceis pushed by the handle, the movable weight bearing device moves in alinear direction away from the back end of the device. When it is pulledby the handle in the reverse linear direction, the movable weightbearing device moves in a linear direction toward the back end of thedevice and away from the front end of the device.

In another embodiment herein, a device for increasing a weighted loadwhile in motion comprises a frame. The frame has a front end and a backend that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving the deviceis attached to the back end of the frame. At least two movable membersare attached to the back end of the frame. At least one movable memberis attached to the front end of the frame. A graduated resistance systemis attached to the device. It is actuated upon linear motion of thedevice. The graduated resistance system providing increased resistanceas the device moves linearly.

The graduated resistance system is programmable either manually orelectronically. Preferably, the graduated resistance system iscomputerized. It may also be programmably releasable. In a trainingregiment in which a heavy load that is needed at the top of a sprint butis later released to allow a spring action to a sprinter is desired,such releasability is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device herein;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inventive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the inventive device of FIG. 1 herein; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the inventive device of FIG. 1 herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein increases an athlete's sprinting power by use anovel and unique training device. In practice, the device enables asprinter to increase her workload while she sprints by pushing orpulling the device linearly. As she moves, more weight is loaded towardthe front of the device thereby increasing inertia at the front end. Bythe term “inertia” herein, it is meant resistance to motion.

By increasing the resistance of the runner as the athlete is running.The claimed invention differs from what currently exists in the field oftraining runners, sprinters and athletes. For example, there are noknown inventions that increase work load as an athlete trains. Byincreasing workload on the athlete during the actual running and/orsprinting motion, the invention moves athletes beyond previous trainingmaximums.

The invention provides a device for increasing load while it is inmotion. The invention contains a frame. The frame has a front end and aback end that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving thedevice is attached to the back end of the frame.

At least two movable members are attached to the back end of the frame.At least one movable member is attached to the front end of the frame. Amovable weight bearing device is attached to the frame. The movableweight bearing device moves linearly between the back end of the frameand the front end of the frame when the device is in motion.

In one execution herein, the movable weight bearing device comprises aplatform. The platform is configured to receive a load. The loadcomprises one or more weighted objects, such weighted objects being freeweights of the kind well known in the art for use in weight bearingexercises.

The movable weight bearing device preferably comprises a sprocket androller system. The sprocket and roller system is actuated by the atleast two movable members attached to the back end of the frame. Inpractice, the sprocket and roller system transfers a weighted loadlinearly along the frame of the device. That is, the load increases asthe device is moved in a linear direction. The load is increased as itmoves from the back end of the frame to the front end of the frame.

As the device moves, an athlete pushing it from behind will experience aload increase thereby making the device harder to push. The loadincrease happens as it moves toward the at least one movable memberthereby increasing its resistance to linear motion. Thus, an athlete iscaused to work harder by increase of the load onto the one movablemember.

Importantly, the movable weight bearing device moves reversibly linearlybased upon the direction of linear motion of the device. When the deviceis pushed by the handle, the movable weight bearing device moves in alinear direction away from the back end of the device. When it is pulledby the handle in the reverse linear direction, the movable weightbearing device moves in a linear direction toward the back end of thedevice and away from the front end of the device.

In another embodiment herein, a device for increasing a weighted loadwhile in motion comprises a frame. The frame has a front end and a backend that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving the deviceis attached to the back end of the frame. At least two movable membersare attached to the back end of the frame. At least one movable memberis attached to the front end of the frame. A graduated resistance systemis attached to the device. It is actuated upon linear motion of thedevice. The graduated resistance system providing increased resistanceas the device moves linearly.

The graduated resistance system is programmable either manually orelectronically. Preferably, the graduated resistance system iscomputerized. It may also be programmably releasable. In a trainingregiment in which a heavy load that is needed at the top of a sprint butis later released to allow a spring action to a sprinter is desired,such releasability is desired.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of device 10 herein. Device 10 comprisesframe 15. Frame 15 comprises front end 20 and back end 22 that ispositioned oppositely to front end 22. Back end 22 comprises handle 24.In practice, an athlete grips handle 24. She stands behind device 10 atback end 22. She places her hands onto handle 24 and then pushes device10 along a linear path for a distance determined by either her or hertrainer.

As shown, device 10 comprises two rear movable members 25 attached toback end 22. Preferred rear movable members 25 herein are wheels 27 asshown in FIG. 1. Wheels 27 enable device 10 to readily move once eitherpushed or pulled by an athlete. Ideally, rear movable members 25 do notprovide significant resistance to movement of device 10.

FIG. 1 shows front movable member 35 attached to front end 20 of frame15. Ideally, front movable member 35 is not a wheel, but is preferably ametal glide that slides across a surface when device 10 is pushed by anathlete A metal glide is preferred because of its strength. The metalglide should be made from the same material as frame 15 of device 10.Frame 15 is preferably made from a light-weight but strong metal like asteel composite (e.g., a steel and aluminum composite). Front movablemember 35 also serves as a support to frame 15. This is an importantfeature to device 10 once weight is shifted from back end 22 to frontend 20 of frame 15.

Movable weight bearing device 40 is shown connected to frame 15. Inparticular, movable weight bearing device 40 as shown in FIG. 1comprises plate 42 upon which items like weights would sit; two glides44 upon which plate 42 is movably attached; and plate moving mechanism46 (not shown) that moves plate 42 from back end 22 to front end 20 offrame 15 and also in reverse from front end 20 to back end 22.

Importantly, device 10 is constructed to shift the weight loaded ontoweight bearing device from back end 22 to front end 20 thereof. To anathlete, the weight load will feel different as the weight (not shown)moves from the back to the front of device 10. Weight bearing device 40is movable and sits upon glides 44. Glides 44 extend substantially alongthe length of device 10. Weight bearing device 40 is held in fixed toframe 15, but it moves linearly on glides 44 along the length of frame15.

FIG. 2 is a side view of device 10 of FIG. 1. Additionally, athlete 70is shown applying a force to device 10 to begin to move it in a lineardirection. In practice, athlete 50 applies her hands to handle 24 andmoves her legs to exert a force to device 10. Weights 60 rest upon plate44 as shown. Once force is exerted upon device 10, rear movable members25 begin to move, and if wheels 27, they rotate.

Rear movable members 25 are attached to movable weight bearing device40. When rear movable members 25 move, they actuate the motion ofmovable weight bearing device 40. In fact, as wheels 27 rotate, suchrotation translates into linear motion of weight bearing device 40. Atsuch motion, weight shifts along frame 15 from back end 22 to front end20. Eventually, the weight will reside right above or approximate tofront movable member 35. Along the path of linear motion of device 10,it becomes more and more difficult to move as athlete 70 exerts forcethereon. As device 10 becomes harder to move, more force is requiredfrom athlete 50 thereby increasing athlete 50's force exertion and alsoher power.

FIG. 2 partially shows linear weight motion system 50. Herein, thepreferred linear weight motion system 50 comprises a chain and at leastone sprocket. As shown, chain 52 is releasably connected to frontsprocket 54, similarly to that of a bicycle chain and gear. Not shown isa rear sprocket 55 that is attached to an axle (not shown). The axle isconnected to preferred wheels 27. Chain 52 is releasably attached toboth front sprocket 54 and rear sprocket 55. Linear weight system 50 isalso attached to weight bearing device 40 that is moved by linear weightmotion system 50 as device 10 is itself moved by athlete 70. As device10 is pushed and wheels 27 rotate, rear sprocket 55 rotates therebymoving chain 52 that in turn rotates front sprocket 54.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of preferred movable weight bearing device 40herein. Back end 22 of device 10 is shown. Handle 24 is provided andrear movable members 25 as wheels 27 are also provided. Wheels 27 shouldbe large enough to enable the ready movement of device 10 in a linearly.In a traditional weighted sled, wheels are not included because theentirety of the sled is needed to provide constant resistance to motionby an athlete. Herein, the goal is to move device 10 in a line as theapplied weight is shifted from lighter to heavier as device 10 is pushedfrom behind.

Device 10 in FIG. 3 may also be pulled. Handle 24 may be grasped by anathlete and pulled. However, this is not ideal. Preferably, a harness(not shown) is attached to handle 24 and/or some other portion of backend 22, and also, attached to an athlete. Once both attachments are madeand the athlete has enough clearance to spring away from device 10,movable weight bearing device 40 will move weight from its originalpositioned above or proximate to front movable member 35. The weight,now moving in reverse from front end 20, moves along frame 15 backtoward back end 22 thereby decreasing the weight load of device 10. Suchdecrease in weight load provides a spring effect to an athlete thatpulls device 10 by harness.

FIG. 4 is a top view of device 10 of FIG. 1 herein. In particular, itprovides a top view of movable weight bearing device 40. The preferredembodiment of movable weight bearing device 40 is linear weight motionsystem 50. Sprocket and roller chain system comprises at least onesprocket connected to a chain. Persons of skill in the art will wellrecognize linear weight motion system 50 used herein as being well knownin many other applications by which items are moved from one point toanother. The chain of linear weight motion system 50 is akin to abicycle chain. The sprocket of linear weight motion system 50 is akin tothe large gear of a bicycle.

Herein, linear weight motion system 50 has multiple connection points.First, one part of linear weight motion system 50 is connected to backend 22 of frame 15. Second, another part thereof is connected to frontend 20 of frame 15. Last, and importantly, linear weight motion system50 is connected to at least one rear movable members 25.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the inventionis defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur tothose skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for increasing load while in motion,comprising: a. A frame having a front end and back end positionedoppositely to said front end; b. A handle for moving said device, saidhandle being attached to said back end of said frame; c. At least tworear movable members attached to said back end of said frame; d. Atleast one front movable member attached to said front end of said frame;e. A movable weight bearing device attached to said frame, said movableweight bearing device operably moving between said back end of saidframe and said front end of said frame when said device is in motion. 2.The device of claim 1 wherein said movable weight bearing devicecomprises a platform, said platform being configured to receive a load.3. The device of claim 2 wherein said load comprise one or more weightedobjects.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said movable weight bearingdevice comprises a sprocket and roller chain system.
 5. The device ofclaim 4 wherein said sprocket and roller chain system is actuated bysaid at least two movable members attached to said back end of saidframe.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein said sprocket and roller chainsystem transfers said load linearly along said frame of said device. 7.The device of claim 1 wherein said load increases as said device ismoved in a linear direction.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said loadis increased in a linear direction.
 9. The device of claim 8 whereinsaid load is increased as said load moves from said back end of saidframe to said front end of said frame.
 10. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid load increases upon said at least one movable member as said devicemoves linearly.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said athlete iscaused to work harder by increase of said load onto said one movablemember.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein said movable weight bearingdevice comprises a gradual braking system.
 13. The device of claim 12wherein said gradual braking system comprises four springs, two brakepads and two points of attachment connected to said rolling chain. 14.The device of claim 12 wherein said gradual braking system is actuatedby said at least two movable members attached to said back end of saidframe.
 15. The device of claim 12 wherein said gradual braking systemactuates by narrowing of said frame.
 16. The device of claim 1 whereinmovable weight bearing device moves reversibly linearly based upon thedirection of linear motion of said device.
 17. The device of claim 16wherein said movable weight bearing device moves gradually back to saidback end of said frame.
 18. The device of claim 1 wherein said twomovable members are wheels.
 19. A device for increasing load while inmotion, comprising: a. A frame having a front end and back endpositioned oppositely to said front end; b. A handle for moving saiddevice, said handle being attached to said back end of said frame; c. Atleast two movable members attached to said back end of said frame; d. Atleast one movable member attached to said front end of said frame; ande. A graduated resistance system actuated upon linear motion of saiddevice, said graduated resistance system providing increased resistanceas said device moves linearly.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein saidgraduated resistance system is programmable.
 21. The device of claim 20wherein said graduated resistance system is computerized.
 22. The deviceof claim 19 wherein said graduated resistance system is programmablyreleasable. (This is the training method in which a load is applied atthe beginning of a sprint but then a runner is later released from thatload.)